{The} Shirley Temple :: What's in a name?


Shirley Temple died yesterday. I was watching the morning news with my daughter when we learned of Ms. Temple Black's passing. I loved her movies as a child. What little girl doesn't love to watch other little girls singing and dancing on TV? I adored Heidi and The Little Princess and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.  My daughter's generation doesn't know about Shirley Temple or any of the movies of that era. I doubt she's ever seen anything in black and white. "Should I know who she is?" She asked me when she heard an audible sigh from me. "No, I suppose not," I thought. And we sat and watched a few clips.

It wasn't until several hours later that it dawned on me that of course she knew who Shirley Temple was! My boys knew too. Well, maybe not who she was, but what she was! I'm sure there's not a child in America, of my generation or even of this current generation who hasn't ever had a Shirley Temple! I adored them as a child and my youngest, 8, adores them still. He orders them often when we go out, with extra cherries, of course!

The Valentine-colored non-alcoholic concoction which is a mixture of grenadine, ginger ale and maraschino cherries — looks very much like a grown up cocktail. The story goes that she was out with her parents one night at a restaurant. They were sipping sophisticated cocktails, Old Fashioneds perhaps, and she was wanting something like they were drinking and so the waitstaff created a version just for her that resembled the more grown up version. There's a bit of a controversy surrounding the popular mocktail. Ms. Temple Black told NPR that she had nothing whatsoever to do with the origins of the drink. She claims the drink originated in 1930s by the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood but others seem to remember things differently. According to USA Today a bartender at Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills created the cocktail in the late 30′s during the pinnacle of her fame. Wherever and whatever the origins of this fruity, alcohol-free concoction, her name will live on and continue to bring smiles to children for generations to come.

via Style me Pretty
How to make a Shirley Temple:
6 oz of ginger ale
1 dash of Grenadine, Roses (can be purchased in most grocery stores)
1 Maraschino cherry (or more to taste!)
Pour the ginger ale and grenadine into a glass, stir well, add ice and cherry.


via Food 52
Food52 has a grown-up version that is much less sweet and much more sophisticated.
It's called the Shirley Temple Black which they describe as "an adult soda or aperitif that is perfect for sipping during the holidays as a counterpoint to rich and heavy food. Truly it could be served any time of year if a very light cocktail is desired. It's sweet but not saccharine, and has a bitter edge that makes it nicely refreshing. It reminds me of a Shirley Temple, but all grown-up! Aperol makes it less boozy than Campari (about 1% vs. 2% alcohol by volume in the final cocktail); either works well. For a non-alcoholic version, freshly pressed pink grapefruit juice would be a perfect substitute."

Shirley Temple Black:
Serves 2

1 3/4cup soda water
3tablespoons Aperol or Campari
2tablespoons Simplest Homemade Grenadine
1tablespoon freshly pressed lime juice
2 to 4drops orange bitters (optional)
Ice cubes
Lime wheels (optional)

Combine soda water, Aperol or Campari, grenadine, and lime juice in a 2-cup glass measure. Stir gently to mix. Taste and add orange bitters or an extra splash of soda water if desired. Divide between 2 glasses, each with a few cubes of ice. Serve each with a lime wheel for garnish if you're feeling fancy.

Cheers - from the Good ship Lollipop!

Jessica










Stylish Notes on Decor :: Red Hot

Stephen Gambrel, Architectural Digest


As Valentine's Day approaches and the color red is abundant and all around us I thought I would take a look at some red rooms. Red is a bold and strong color that is associated power, passion, lust, love, even fury and anger. It is an energizing color that excites our emotions. In Eastern cultures red is the color of luck. 

It takes a certain personality to be able to pull off a red room - and a red room is certainly not for everyone. Can you do it without feeling overwhelmed? Personally I prefer a darker shade of the color, a wine-colored tone balanced with some neutrals and some deep dark natural wood or black tones.  It would not be my color of choice in the bedroom but I would use it in a home office or kitchen - an area of the home that could benefit from the energetic force of the color.

Over a decade ago I had a Merlot colored dining room that was rich with wood and balanced by ivory trims and mouldings. A floor length black and white ticking table cloth was dressed up with a shorter black and white toile tablecloth that sat on top of it. We had cushions made to match - ticking on one side and the toile on the other. It was a gorgeous room but as soon as everyone else started painting their dining rooms in similar colors I had to change mine! My next dining room would be blue, but just between you and me, the red was my favorite!

Interestingly I have chosen below many images of rooms that are high gloss or lacquered - a look that I adore. I did not conscientiously choose the images for this reason!

by Sarah Story, NYC

Matthew Patrick Smyth, ElleDecor

New England Home

Apartment Therapy

Architectural Digest

ElleDecor


New England Home

via The Socialite Family

Veranda

What do you think about red as a color choice? Is it for you?

Jessica

Soiree :: Entertaining with Style

image used w permission by Rizzoli

I cannot tell you how delighted I was to get my hands on a copy of this book. Soiree, Entertaining with Style is a book to be savored. Filled with mouth watering recipes, exquisite photography and creative themes Soiree should be in everyone's home whether on the coffee table or kitchen bookshelf. Danielle's natural knack for entertaining is evident in every detail, from the invite to the menu to the carefully executed table. Indeed she is the hostess with the mostess, but really she is so much more, and with her help here both the novice as well as the seasoned party planner will find inspiration. Danielle carefully walks her readers through every step of the dinner party, whether intimate or large, from the planning to the execution with tips on creating invitations, selecting music, flowers and decoration - from planning a bar to selecting a menu.

The images will grab you. The recipes will inspire you. Her words will calm and encourage you.

Danielle has hosted the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Lela Rose and Rachel Roy. She shares with us her experiences and we benefit from those experiences.

I adore Danielle's philosophy - It's very much like my own - Keep things simple. Enjoy the moment. Treasure the memories. She believes in using shortcuts. She believes in letting others help. She believes that there are no right or wrong ways to doing something. "All you need is a little passion. Draw on the things that inspire you and make you feel good. Entertaining isn't about money or decor... It's about people. People make the party." These philosophies are evident on every page of this beautiful book. 


image used w permission by Rizzoli

image used w permission by Rizzoli
Little, simple details make a big statement... Danielle's guests get their own party favors. Herbs in little terra cotta pots also serve as the perfect place setting for a Pizza Parlor al Fresco.

image used w permission by Rizzoli


GEORGIA THREE-CHEESE PIZZA
1 fresh dough ball
½ cup fresh tomato sauce
1 ounce Sweetgrass Dairy Green Hill cheese (or Camembert)
1 ounce Sweetgrass Dairy Tomme cheese (or Cantal or Comte)
1½ ounces Atlanta Fresh Mozzarella (or other fresh mozzarella)
2 tablespoons good-quality extra-virgin olive oil

Fresh Pizza Dough Balls
4 cups “Caputo 00” pizzeria flour or all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons salt
½ tablespoon active dry yeast
1½ basil leaves
1 cups ice-cold water *
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Combine all dry ingredients together in the bowl of a stand mixer and add water and oil.
Make sure not to pour the cold water directly onto the yeast. Using cold water stunts the
growth of the yeast so the fermentation happens slowly, creating a more flavorful dough.
Mix on the lowest speed for 3 minutes and then on the highest speed for 5 minutes. The
mixing action creates friction and heats the dough, which activates the yeast. If you do
not have a mixer, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and work them by hand until a
loose dough ball forms. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead
aggressively for 7 to 10 minutes, adding flour when dough seems too wet.
Please note this dough by nature is wet and can be difficult to handle.

Cover dough and let rise for 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size. Punch down
dough and form into a large ball, then cut into 4 equal pieces.
Form a dough ball by gently rolling one of the dough pieces in the palm of your hand. Be
sure to stretch the top of the ball down and around the rest of the ball, until the outer layer
wraps around the other side. Pinch the two ends together to make a smooth ball. Repeat
with remaining 3 balls. Dust pizza balls with flour, and store under a damp towel, in a
proofing tray, or on a sheet pan covered with plastic wrap. This will prevent the outside
of the ball from drying out and creating a crust. The top of the pizza ball should be soft
and supple.

Let pizza balls rest in a cool place for at least 1 hour before stretching. If you will not be
using your pizza balls right away you can refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze them in
individual plastic freezer bags.

Pizza
Stretch dough to approximately 14 inches round and spread a thin layer of sauce over
dough. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses and top with fresh basil. Drizzle with half the oil.

Pull pizza onto a peel and cook in a wood-fired oven or super-hot (500°F or hotter)
conventional oven. Cook until dough is nice and charred and cheese is melted. Remove
from oven and drizzle with remaining oil. Slice and serve


image used w permission by Rizzoli

image used w permission by Rizzoli

image used w permission by Rizzoli



STRAWBERRY-BASIL ICE POPS WITH PROSECCO 

¾ to 1 cup packed brown sugar 
(depending on sweetness of berries) 
4 cups fresh ripe strawberries, stems removed 
3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves 
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
12 ice pop molds and sticks 

Combine 2 cups water and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a 
boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until sugar dissolves into a simple syrup. Remove 
from heat and let cool. 

In a blender, combine 2 cups strawberries with basil leaves and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 
pulse until blended. Set aside. Repeat with remaining strawberries, basil, and lemon juice. 
Divide simple syrup evenly among batches. 
Pour into ice pop molds and freeze at least 6 hours (ice pops will keep in freezer up to 2 
weeks). 
Place ice pop upside down in a wineglass and pour Prosecco over. Serve immediately. 

PEACH-MINT ICE POPS WITH PROSECCO 
6 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced 
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 
4 tablespoons finely chopped mint 
½ to ¾ cup sugar 
¼ teaspoon ground Vietnamese cinnamon (optional) 
Place peaches, lime juice, 2 tablespoons mint, sugar, and cinnamon (if using) in a blender 
and blend to combine. Taste and add more lime juice or sugar. Stir in remaining mint. 
Pour into ice pop molds and freeze at least 6 hours (ice pops will keep in freezer up to 2 
weeks). 

Place ice pop upside down in a wineglass and pour Prosecco over. Serve immediately.

I'm looking forward to hearing about how this inspires your own Soiree!
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I think this would make the loveliest of Valentine!

Click here to order your own copy of Soiree by Danielle Rollins!

Jessica

Waterlogued

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

There's a new app for your iPhone or iPad called Waterlogue. Not since Instagram have I been so excited about an app. Waterlogue converts any photograph of any genre that's been saved to your phone settings. I've heard a bit of a buzz about it lately. I've seen how beautifully it has transformed photographs of flora and how some of my designer friends have transformed some of the beautiful rooms they've designed. So this morning I decided to download it myself and played around with it. it works beautifully on photographs of any genre. You can adjust colors, shades and just about anything you can do on a photo editing app. I've been having so much fun with it... if you like to play with the camera on your phone, you'll probably love Waterlogue!

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

The results are truly incredible. Aren't they? For more information on Waterlogued click here.

Stylish notes on decor :: Blue


Blue is America's color. We are a shy people when it comes to our interiors. We prefer the beiges and greiges to the bright, eye-popping colors that are used so frequently and loved so dearly in Europe. We tend to be more reserved. More conservative. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule and we see them throughout the shelter magazines. But the general population seems to have a fear of color. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of breaking the rules too perhaps. But rules are meant to be broken. Nothing adds character and personality to a home like color. If there is a color we do use, it's blue. We use it a lot. We use it in all shades and we use it in all rooms. Perhaps it's because blue speaks to us all. Blue is the sky and blue is the ocean. Blue is nature. It is peaceful and calming. Blue is serene. It eases stress. It relaxes instantly. It's a cool hue. It's one color that works well in any room of a home. Blue is a color that transcends all decorating styles. It's modern and it's classic. It's hip and youthful, yet wise and sage. Blue can be incredibly elegant and yet as casual as denim.

If you've been thinking of adding some color to your space but aren't sure where to start, why not look up toward the sky, or out to the sea. Paint your walls. Paper your walls. Tile your walls. And if that is too extreme you can always add splashes and textures through fabrics. Blue may perhaps be the most versatile of colors - one that is truly suitable to any home and any style.












images via:
Architectural Digest, Pinterest, Tumblr, Miles Redd, Thibault Walpaper, ElleDecor, Carolyn Roehm

Jessica

Run Away!



We all have them, those days that never end... The days that turn into several days that turn into weeks and no matter what we do - no matter how hard we try to slow down and relax we simply can't as life doesn't have that in store for us at the moment... It will come but we will have to wait a while longer. And so we trudge ahead through the never-ending snow that keeps piling, through the masses of piles and papers needing our attention... through sometimes seemingly endless days of parenting and sick children and meeting and missing deadlines and doing all we can to keep afloat. These brief (in the grand scheme of things) moments will end too... sometime... one day. But sometimes it seems no end is in sight and we are stretched too thin and we are too exhausted and overwhelmed... It's been like that here as I try to find balance in my own life as I juggle children and life and work and those deserving of more attention than I can offer at this moment.

And wouldn't it be nice if we could freeze time for a moment and just step away and take a deep breath, or relax on the beach or swim in a pool beneath a warm sun? Let's run away! Wouldn't that be amazing? Get your sunglasses, your flip flops and your sunscreen! Where should we go?







On second thought... go grab your passport too!
Jessica

images via Tumblr and Christies


Stylish notes on Fashion :: Black is the perfect Slow + Simple color


Black happens to be one of my favorite colors. I simply adore it. It's casual yet sophisticated. It's elegant yet relaxed. It goes with everything and stands boldly on its own. It works well with others and works well alone too. Black is mysterious. It's easy. It's simple. Very little thought needs to go into a black outfit or a simple black dress. It bridges morning to evening and everything in between. It's effortless without looking as though it is. Take a simple black dress or a simple black pair of pants and black top. Simple, clean, easy. Slip on a pair of flats in the morning and trade them for a pretty pair of slingbacks or elegant boots and chunky pearl necklace for dramatic nighttime attire. One's wardrobe can never have too much black!Yes, you can quote me on that! Black is the perfect Slow + Simple color for your wardrobe.










Now, as I get ready to head out I must decide between a black sweater dress and black boots or black velvet jeans with a black sweater and fab necklace... decisions, decisions, decisions!

Orange is the new black


Have you heard about Orange is the new black?
Or perhaps I should say OITNB, or
Hashtag OINB?
All the rage?
The Netflix series?
Where have I been?
You've not heard either?
Where have YOU been?
It will grab you in a second and not let go ... ever!
I promise.

While I was sick in bed, bored with nothing to do my friend Allegra told me to watch. I would be hooked she would tell me. And so I did. And so I was. I was so hooked in fact that I watched the ENTIRE 13 episode season is just two days!
And then I was DEVASTATED that it was over.
I fell in LOVE with all the characters.
Even those I despised!

Based on Piper Kerwin's memoir, OITNB chronicle's Piper Chapman's year in prison.
It's raw, honest, real, courageous, eye opening... It's life in prison. There is nothing else like it out there. NOTHING.
The actors are incredible. The storyline and writing are amazing. 

It's not for children. Or young teens. So watch it when you know no one is around. Or do as I did - crawl into bed, grab your ipad, mount it against some pillows and get lost!



Quick synopsis:


Ivy educated Piper turns herself into prison and is sentenced to 15 months after being convicted of a crime she committed a decade earlier of transporting money for her drug-dealing girlfriend with whom she had an affair. While this is classified as a Dramatic series, there is plenty of comic relief. You will find yourself gasping and laughing... You'll laugh, you'll cry... You simply won't get enough of Piper and these crazy, quirky characters.


I've just ordered the book too!
Click on the above image if you're interested in learning more about the book or buying it!

Jessica

Mesothelioma :: The hidden dangers of renovating older homes



The landscape in much of our country is dotted with many charming older homes. All homes, both old and new require maintenance and upkeep from time to time - replacing shingles, pipes, furnaces, roofs, relining chimneys... etc. Those of us living in older homes are more vulnerable to potential hidden dangers that can gravely affect our health and well-being. There's been a big movement to educated the general public about lead poisoning. Lead was used in many things from pipes to paint until it was banned in 1978. Another danger that lurks in many of our homes is asbestos. Many of us are aware of asbestos and its dangers, yet there are still too many out there who are not.



Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used commercially for its desirable physical properties. It became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage, and affordability. Asbestos mining began more than 4,000 years ago. For a long time, the world's largest asbestos mine was the Jeffrey mine in the town of Asbestos, Quebec.
Asbestos has been used in homes, offices, and heavy machinery.

If your home was built before 1980 there is a great likelihood that it contains some form of asbestos can be found in: Furnaces
Vinyl flooring
Wall and attic insulation
Ceilings
Pipes
Roofing
Shingles
Window caulking and glazing
Plaster
Siding



In the late 1970s Asbestos was declared, after many decades of study by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be directly linked to serious and life threatening illnesses such as cancer. In fact cancer from asbestos has its own name, mesothelioma, also known as the "asbestos cancer." 

The problem arises when the fibres become airborne. But age, wear and tear can cause asbestos to break down and therefore fibers can become airborne. It's important, if you live in an older home, especially if you have young children, to have your home inspected by a professional. If asbestos is found and is intact there is little cause for concern. Never touch asbestos yourself. Your asbestos will need to be removed or resealed by a skilled professional. 

You can choose to have your asbestos sealed. A sealant will be applied in coats. This will bind them permanently so that even if the asbestos is disturbed the fibres won't be released. If it turns out that you need to have your asbestos removed, please do not try to do this by yourself. Although expensive, this should be left to the professionals.
According to the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, "mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, is a rare but deadly disease which affects the pleura (a thin lining surrounding the lungs) and other parts of the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, naturally occurring minerals which were widely used in various industries for their fire-resistant properties. The most common form of this cancer is lung mesothelioma, which is also known as pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can also attack the lining of the abdominal cavity, resulting in peritoneal mesothelioma. Additionally, mesothelioma cancer sometimes affects the pericardium, a sac which surrounds the heart, as well as other organs in the body.

The development of mesothelioma is a drawn-out process, which makes it hard to diagnose and treat. On average, it takes decades for the symptoms of mesothelioma to surface. Mesothelioma can mask its presence because its symptoms resemble those of more common respiratory illnesses. By the time a doctor orders a battery of tests to look for mesothelioma, it is usually too late to treat the cancer effectively. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pains, or a combination of both. As mesothelioma advances to its final stage, symptoms can become more severe and typically include severe chest and lung pain, bloating, coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, or buildup of fluid in the chest cavity. Extreme tiredness, lack of appetite, and subsequent weight loss, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, night sweats, and fever."

For more on asbestos and mesothelioma contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center.


Jessica


images:
1: MLS, New Canaan, CT  , 2: Better Homes and Gardens, 3: Mark D Sikes

Note: I was contacted by the Mesothelioma Lawyer Center and am posting this on their behalf. 

21 Movies to watch during a Polar Vortex (or if you're stuck in bed with the flu!)



There's nothing like getting lost in a good movie... There's nothing like getting lost in a good plot, a great love story or mystery. There's nothing like falling in love with a character, both good and bad. And there's nothing like being transported away to a breathtaking place. Movies allow us to lose ourselves for a while - to take a break from reality. Sometimes they're as therapeutic as a vacation. Often we don't have time for such luxuries but sometimes we're forced to slow down. Sometimes we're even forced to stay indoors.

The Polar Vortex has had a grip on us and will be back again. When it's this cold out everyone should stay at home. Imagine if the whole community shut down? Imagine if the grocery stores and hardware stores and liquor stores and drug stores all closed? It'd be just like the 70s! I remember it back then... just barely. It was boring because nothing was open but we got along just fine. And so the world will be just fine if we all decide to stay inside. At home. Where it's warm. On the couch, or under the covers, with a great big bowl of popcorn... So let's escape reality for a little while and lose ourselves in some great classic feel good movies!


1. The Notebook... the name has become synonymous for tear jerker.

2. Safe Haven (or any Nicholas Sparks movie)... for the same reason mentioned above.

3. When Harry Met Sally... timeless. Classic. Truly funny.

4. Sleepless in Seattle... Because I am an incurable romantic.

5. Breakfast at Tiffany's... because I've always wanted a cat named cat. And Moon River gets me every time.

6. Sabrina (both the old and the new ... and we just happen to adore Greg Kinnear so anything he's in too!)

7. West Side Story...Because it was hipster before hipster was hip. Did you know this was adapted from Romeo and Juliet? And we love a good musical score.

8. Under the Tuscan Sun... isn't this everyone's dream?

9. Dirty Dancing, because no one puts baby in a corner.

10. Footloose, the original version. Because we all want to get up and start dancing.

11. Love Story, because we all want our own Preppy. And for when you want a really good cry.

12. Metropolitan, Preppy New York society comes of age... We just love this one.

13. Bridges of Madison County - Tugs at the heartstrings. True love. Meryl....

14. Mama Mia... if but for nothing but the songs... Meryl Rocks it too tho...

15. The Devil Wears Prada - Do we need to say the M word again?

16. Julie and Julia... food and love, (and Meryl!) is there a more perfect pairing?

17. It's Complicated... see above reasons... and we think Meryl's kitchen is to die for!
You sensing a theme? We'd like to list every Meryl Streep movie but we don't have the room!

18. Pretty Woman. Because "Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here; this is
Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin' - this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin'."

19. Mystic Pizza. Because it's Mystic Pizza.

20. Top Gun - Maybe it was my thing for Goose. Maybe it was my thing for Kenny Loggins. or Ray Bans.

21. One more classic to round off our list... High Society. Newport. Frank, Grace and Bing. Cole Porter. I mean what's not to love?

Pass the popcorn please!

Jessica

10 Slow + Simple ways to stay warm during a Polar Vortex



Gosh it's cold out! I'm really ready for summer... but sadly, that's far off on the horizon... I'd love a trip to some place warm, balmy, tropical... and well, that ain't happening either! Meantime I will think warm thoughts and do whatever it takes to keep warm!

1. Cover up!
Don the flannel.
Don the cashmere.
Don the fur.
And by all means layer them all if you must!

2. Stay inside + take cover!
Call it a snow day. Call it a mental health day. Call it hookey. Tell your boss it's ok, I said so!



3. Wrap yourself up.

Grab all your blankets, fur throws and duvets and wrap yourself up. 

4. Light a fire.
Bring your wrapped up self and some pillows and sit in front of the roasty toasty fire. Slowly you'll be able to peel some of the layers away. Bring a book or a magazine or just gaze into the mesmerizing fire.

5. Take a long hot bath.
When I'm chilled to the bone. When nothing else works to keep me warm, I take a long hot bath. For some reason baths work better than showers. Add some of your favorite bath salts or bath gels. Don't forget to moisturize well when you're done. Bring a book. The bath happens to be my most favorite reading nook! The hot water and the heat can be terribly drying.

image via Washington Post
Boeuf Bourguignon via Anthony Bourdain
6. Bake or cook. 
Keep the stove and the oven on. Dishes like chili, mac and cheese, stews, and soups will also warm you to the core. Did you know that the body burns more calories when it's cold out? Go ahead, bake a batch of Tollhouse cookies!

7. Keep a large pot of boiling water on your stove.
The steam will permeate the air adding much needed moisture to your home. Did you know that moisture traps heat? This may explain why the desert doesn't feel as hot as New York City when it's summertime! Add a few drops of vanilla, orange or lemon flavoring from your pantry to add a subtle and clean fragrance to your home.


8. Keep drinking.
Warm fluids will keep you warm. Drink lots of tea and if you drink cocoa or coffee you can enjoy a cup or two as well but watch the sugar and caffeine levels. You may even want to enjoy a nice glass or two of mulled wine at the end of the day!

9. Keep your thermostat set to one temperature.
It's been said that on extremely cold days that it's wiser to keep your thermostat set to one temperature as opposed to lowering it at night and bringing it up during the day. When the temperatures skydive our furnaces have to work doubly hard to bring the temperatures back to a comfortable level and use much more energy. This is especially true in older homes that are not as airtight. Therefore keeping the temperatures up is actually more efficient. If you must lower the heat, consider lowering it to 67 degrees instead of 64.


10. Snuggle up with your honey!

How else do you keep warm? I would love to know! Brrrrrrrrrr!!!
Jessica

Stylish Notes on Decor :: SkyHouse, where art, architecture and design come to play


SkyHouse is where art, architecture and design come to play.

Imagine a slide inside your home. Imagine that slide in a penthouse of one of Manhattan's oldest skyscraper. Now imagine that slide is 80 feet long. And if that wasn't enough, imagine a climbing wall that rose up 4 stories. This may not be for those with a fear of heights. Or vertigo for that matter!

SkyHouse is the brainchild of architect David Hotson and interior designer Ghislaine Vinas. Here, new and old unite as they never have before.

According to City Modern, "the property, constructed in 1895 as the skyscraper's ornamental crown, had never been used as a residence and had no services other than an industrial gas heater and a minimal bathroom." Both Hotson and Viñas saw the incredible opportunity this 6,600-square-foot of untouched space presented. "With the imaginative participation of a fully engaged client, Hotson restructured the penthouse into four levels and inserted a faceted stairwell with glass bridges, illuminated by skylights. The north end of the penthouse was opened to create a four-story-tall living space, within which an original riveted steel column fitted with climbing holds for anyone intrepid enough to scale the entire fifty-foot height rises through the center of the room. For an equally dizzying descent, an eighty-foot long mirror-polished stainless steel slide was installed at the opposite end of the residence; the slide sweeps down over bedrooms, through interior windows, and out over the stairway before flaring out to create a warped partition between the media room and the entry gallery."

Viñas' vibrant, bold, almost shocking in your face colors, along with the over-scaled floral patterns, whimsical lighting fixtures, as well as the carefully selected sly pop-cultural references create a playful, youthful tone. Hotson ingeniously frames the magnificent views of the iconic buildings and bridges that surround the apartment. A peephole in the guest bedroom shower captures the glow of the Chrysler Building. The dramatic skylight in the private elevator vestibule frames and juxtaposes the architecture of the the new Beekman Tower by Frank Gehry. City Modern states that "The result is a home of vivid contradictions and breathtaking spatial experiences, combining rigor and whimsy, the precise and the playful, the domestic and the surreal."



 








What do you think of this playground in the sky?

Jessica
Images via People/Dwell and Gizmag. David Hotson photos.

10 Slow + Simple ways to destress

We Heart It

Iden Convey

Tumblr


In addition to my "Stylish Notes" I have been and will be focusing a good bit on "Slow + Simple" as a means to try to uncomplicate our busy lives. We all need to slow down. We all need to appreciate the beauty around us. We need to refocus and regroup. When we are well rested and relaxed we perform better. We work better. We feel better!

Whether you have a few minutes or a few days, it's extremely important to stop for a moment, regroup, refocus and re-energize. If we don't  we become run-down, irritable, exhausted, cranky and stretched too thin. It really doesn't take much. If you can give yourself even 20 minutes, do. If you can give yourself more, even better!

1. Take a long, hot bath
Bring your favorite book or magazine, a glass of wine or soothing cup of tea. Lie back, soak and luxuriate. Let your family know what you're doing and not to disturb you for at least 20 minutes. Do you have a favorite bath gel or bath salts? Lavender is soothing and epsom salts are said to pull all the toxins from your body.

2. Build a fire
There's nothing like a fire to put you into a relaxed state. The warmth, the smell, the colors all evoke peace and serenity.

3. Cook, write, create!
Do you have a passion? A creative outlet may be just what you need. Write a long letter, start your journal, write a memoir. There's nothing like cooking on a cold winter's day. Your home will smell divine! Bundle up and take your camera out for a spin.

4. UNPLUG!
Lose yourself in a great book or catch up on all the shelter magazines that are piled up on your coffee table.

5. Re-plug!
Participate in a marathon - a movie marathon that is! Watch some of your favorite classics and romantic comedies... a day with Nora Ephron, perhaps? I can think of worse things!

6. Go for a run, walk or spin!
There's nothing like generating a really good sweat to get those aggressions out. Download some new iTunes and get pumping. You will feel fantastic. Afterwards, sneak into the bath to relax those muscles!

7. Listen to music.
At home, in the shower, in the car... wherever you may be. Transport yourself back to your favorite era and let the music rehash some of your favorite memories. Or do as I do, and sing at the top of your lungs in the car. Be sure to make sure that all your windows are rolled up and that all the children have safely exited the vehicle!

8. Daydream.
Go ahead. Stop what you're doing for a moment and close your eyes and daydream. Daydream about the past, daydream about the future. You'd be surprised at how refreshed you'll feel afterwards... inspired even!

9. Pour yourself a glass of wine and put your feet up. 
After dinner, before dinner... it doesn't really matter when so long as you just take a moment to sit and regroup. I have a glass of wine at the end of every day - well, nearly every day. It's my desert and it's my zen. I find a quiet spot away from the children, and put my feet up and relax.

10. Get up a little bit earlier every day.
Believe it or not this really helps. Ease into your day quietly, gracefully and peacefully. A slow start is the best start. Watch the sunrise. Turn on the news... read the paper, savor your morning coffee. Then, when you're ready, go and set the world on fire!

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Jessica

10 Healthy, Slow + Simple snacks to satisfy your cravings that won't break your resolutions!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House
1. Roasted, spiced chickpeas.
Packed with lean protein. These will satisfy any salt craving! Recipe here.


Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

2. Edamame.
Pre-shelled and seasoned, these can be found in your grocery store, usually near the fresh veggies. We eat them straight out of the container. Sometimes we sprinkle them on salads. I wonder how these would be spiced and roasted? Hmm, I will have to get back to you on that!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

3. Popcorn.
We love Jiffy Pop! Remember watching the aluminum dome expand over your stove top when you were a kid? It's just as fun now! Truth be told microwave popcorn is worrisome to me. And it really doesn't taste that good. Looking for a sweet alternative? Kettle Corn is a little sweet and a little salty without the sugar and calories that caramel corn has!


Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

4. Chocolate covered strawberries.
Sounds decadent? It shouldn't! These treats are super easy to make. Use semi sweet or dark chocolate which is better for you than milk chocolate. Melt your chocolate. Dip your strawberries and let them harden on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. A few of these are packed with nutrients. And chocolate makes you happy. And has antioxidants. What's not to love about these?


Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

6. Chocolate dipped clementines.
I cannot eat enough citrus. I love all sorts of oranges. Blood oranges are a favorite of mine but there's something about the Clementine. So portable, so easy to peel and so easy to eat, I usually keep a couple in the car for an emergency. For a special, slightly decadent treat we love these dipped in chocolate. Pop 'em in your mouth perfection! 1 clementine has 10-12 slices, so, if dipped in chocolate you may not want to have more than that... Vitamin C and antioxidants... I say this will keep the colds at bay, don't you?!

7. A cup of homemade soup. 
I love soup and often have batches sitting around for a meal or a snack. Soups are warming and filling. We nosh on tortilla soup, low-fat bean soups, and chicken soup all the time. They're great for meals and the leftovers are perfect for snacking on. (Do stay away from the cream-based varieties!)

8. Greek yogurt with peanut butter and honey.
Peanut butter makes me happy. I cannot get enough of it. Add just a teaspoon for a hint of flavor with your honey and you have a wonderfully decadent treat that's low in sugar and packed with protein.

9. Cheese, crackers, fruit and nuts.
In moderation. We love cheese and crackers, serve with a side of fruit, some grapes, a sliced apple or pear and you'll be recharged in no time. Note, this also makes a fine dinner with a glass of wine!


Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

10. Dark chocolate fruit and nut bark.
I have a chocolate problem sometimes. I've learned not to deny my cravings. I found that when I avoided them I ate everything in sight, and then still craved what I craved. So now, if I want something I allow myself to have it. In smallish doses. And I try to make it healthy. So a small piece of fruit and nut bark often does the trick. I use really good chocolate for this. In my mind Ghirardelli is the best that is easily found. Use whatever kinds of fruit and nuts you prefer, as many as you want. Pour the fruit and the nuts directly into the melted chocolate and stir well. I used about 1 cup of nuts + 1 cup of dried fruit to 1 bag of 60% dark Ghirardelli chocolate chips. I spread the mixture onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and tossed it into the fridge to set. Once nice and hard I stuck the top of a sharp knife into the chocolate and chipped away to make generous bite-sized pieces.


It's still January... too early to fall off that wagon. Hope these keep you inspired for a little while longer!

Jessica

Hummus + spiced homemade tortilla crisps :: A perfect slow + simple snack!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House


Last week I shared one of our favorites, spiced roasted chickpeas. We also love hummus. Our absolute favorite is Sabra. It doesn't last long. I'm not sure why it's so different and so much better than the others out there, but it is. And so I've stopped making my own. Our favorite is the garlic. A couple of weeks ago I ran out of "good" crackers. By "good" crackers we are referring to crackers that the boys like. Of course everything I buy is good... So we had a brand new container of hummus that begged to be opened but no "good" crackers to spread it on. I happened to have had a ton of flour tortilla shells in the pantry... all it would take was a pan, some spices and, of course, my magic, to turn these plain flour disks into an amazing snack! These are simple and quick to make and are not fried!

Ingredients:
12 - Flour tortillas (we like the small ones)
Pam, or similar, olive oil spray
Sea Salt
Paprika
Cumin
Garlic powder - Sprinkle seasonings to taste... You may have to sample a couple along the way!

Directions:
Spray each side of the tortilla with your olive oil spray and place in your pan
Sprinkle the side facing up with your seasonings, cook on medium high for a couple of minutes. You will see the bottom turn a light golden brown or the tortilla will puff up, when this happens flip sides and season the other side. Cook for a couple more minutes. Toss onto a plate and repeat until all the tortillas have been cooked. If you want to keep them warm, place them on an oven-safe plate, in a warm oven (about 250-300 degrees) until you are ready to serve. Using a knife or a pizza cutter cut each tortilla into 12 pieces. Any extras will store in a plastic container for a couple of days. We love these with soups as well!

Note: If you are going to be serving the hummus with a warm tortilla, take it out of the fridge to take the chill off.

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Jessica Gordon Ryan/ The Entertaining House

It's cold, damp and dreary outside... I'm thinking this will be a perfect snack for today!

Jessica

Embrace your fears :: Step outside your comfort zone and find freedom!



I hate to fly. Hate. Hate. Hate. Yes, I know hate is a strong word. And that's how strongly I feel about flying. It makes me nervous. My heart gets all jittery and my stomach starts running around like a gerbil on a treadmill. I worry the plane will fall out of the sky. I worry about lots. 9-11 didn't help. Lockerbie. The TWA flight that fell from the sky over the Long Island Sound and then there was another one in Queens, NY. I wasn't always this way. I have been traveling and flying to other countries since before I could walk. As a kid I loved to fly. I thrilled at take-off and landing. But as I got older reality and mortality set in, I guess. And then I had kids and I couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to me... We travelled some as a family and I kept calm for the sake of my children but inside I was a nervous wreck. I didn't sleep the month before I went to London and I booked tickets to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. I haven't slept much since then. Just recently I was invited up in a small private plane and, well, always one to seek out new experiences and opportunities to use my camera, without thinking I jumped at the chance and said yes. Then fear hit me in the face. Hard. Like a fastball. I'm not backing out... I'm not backing out... I am not backing out... I'm not going to watch life pass me by... I'm going to live it! This has been my motto these past couple of years. And I have been forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone. And a small metal can in the sky, that's way out of my comfort zone!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House
Here we are about to take off... the engine is revving, you can feel the power. Suddenly I was not nervous. Not in the least. And 1,2,3 off we went... and wow, the take off was as thrilling as it was when I was a kid!
I watched the ground below get further and further away... I felt like a bird in flight! All the while my friend was walking me through every step every control. It was fascinating. It was positively breath-taking!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House
The view looks calm and peaceful, but if you look at the ripples below you can see the wind on the water... Boy was it rough and despite the turbulence and the little plane being bounced around slightly I wasn't nervous. In fact I was as calm as can be. I love the ocean. She calms me like no other place. I guess the sky does too. 

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House  
Look at that! I look at this picture and it's the most peaceful thing to me. Incredible that an image that was once, and for such a long time, a source of one of my greatest fears, now is an image of calm.

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House
The New England coastline is spectacular no matter what time of year!

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

What an amazing, incredible experience! One that was truly life-changing!I will remember this for the rest of my life... and so to you all I will tell you this, go ahead and embrace your fears... Step outside of your comfort zone... and then when you do, come back and thank me!

Jessica

Have a Wonderful Slow + Simple Weekend!

saying images
Sometimes we need reminders. Sometimes we need to be reminded to take care of ourselves as we are always so busy taking care of everyone else. Be sure to take time for you this weekend. Be sure to slow it down and keep it simple. Take some time off or take a time out. Put the work aside for a while. Spend some time with the kids, then put them aside too :)

Take a bath, take a nap... take a walk or a hike. Lose yourself in a good book, watch a movie, catch up on your favorite television series, dig into your growing pile of glossies.... Cook something, bake something, paint or draw something... be inspired... do something new, see something new, taste something new... do something just for you!


eat live run

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Wishing you all a wonderful, happy, relaxing slow + simple weekend!
Jessica

Stylish notes on Decor :: Yellow, does it cut the mustard?

Albert Hadley via Mark D Sikes

Yellow. Happy cheery, sunny... bright, vibrant, golden, buttery, pale, citron, pastel... The color is as diverse and malleable as can be. It complements every color available, is suited to any climate, room, style and personality. Yellow is a bold and proud color and was favorited by such legendary designers as Albert Hadley and Nancy Lancaster. A simple accessory has enough strength to become a statement piece. An entire room painted in a bright or bold yellow suggests the owner is self confident, strong - not fearful of color or design. A room painted in a muted or softer tone is gentler on the eyes, more relaxing than her brighter, more energetic counterpart. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary there is a shade of this jubilant hue that is perfect for everyone.

Albert Hadley via Mark D Sikes

Albert Hadley Park Ave Apt

via Pinterest - Original source unknown

Tobi Farley via Traditional Home

via At Home Decor

via CBID Home Decor

via Decorpad

via Mix and Chic

via Tumblr

via Tumblr

Nancy Lancaster - ElleDecor
Which yellow are you? Sunshine? Yellow? Buttercup?
Are you a little bit or a whole lotta yellow kinda gal?
Jessica

Roasted, Spiced Chickpeas :: The perfect (healthy) Slow + Simple snack

Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House
We adore roasted, spiced chickpeas.  Keeping myself healthy is one thing. Keeping my kids healthy is something else entirely. To find and give them nutritional snacks that can compete with the non-healthier ones out there is always a challenge. I try not to keep much junk in the house. We snack on lots of popcorn, crackers and cheese, yogurt and fruit. But after a while the kids get bored and need variety. "I'm sick of popcorn!" and "I'm not in the mood for fruit!" are words frequently whined in these parts. We are a home that needs variety. We happen to love chickpeas and when we roast them up I must make a double batch. There are rarely leftovers! Warm, soft yet crispy, salty and flavorful, they're a great wintertime snack.

Roasted, Spiced Chickpeas

Ingredients:
1 or 2 cans of chickpeas (garbanzos) rinsed and drained.
1 can of olive oil spray, such as Pam, or 1-2 tbs olive oil. (I find I use much less oil when I spray!)
Spices to taste:
Cumin
Sea Salt
Garlic Powder
Paprika -

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Pour chick peas onto a cookie sheet with sides or a jelly roll
Spray generously with olive oil spray. (If you don't have this you can coat them well in 1 - 2 tbs of olive oil)
Then generously shake your spices over the chickpeas so that they are well covered. Some of the seasonings will stick to the pan. This is why you will want to over-season!
Place your chick peas into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, gently shake the cookie sheet every 10 - 15 minutes so the brown evenly. They will turn a lovely golden brown. The skins will get nice and crunchy but the insides will stay soft.
Refrigerate any leftovers and then simply pop into the toaster oven and reheat for a few minutes for future snacking.


Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Happy snacking!
Jessica